UNREAL Synonyms: 122 Similar and Opposite Words

unreal

adjective

ˌən-ˈrē(-ə)l

Definition of unreal

as in absurd

conceived or made without regard for reason or reality an unreal claim that is distant from the slightest hint of truth

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in imaginary

not real and existing only in the imagination the unreal world of TV sitcoms

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of unreal And while lots of eras and trades are different and dependent on the market at the time, Shaq going for just one first-round pick, even at 31, still seems unreal. — Zach Harper, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026 When the maple leaves turn red and temples or mountain areas are illuminated at night, the landscape feels almost unreal. — Shivani Vora, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026 These digital technologies have also created an echo chamber of self-confirming views, which has contributed to an unreal, simplified view of a nuanced, messy world. — Simon Sebag Montefiore, The Atlantic, 28 June 2026 The air is fresh and clean, the pace is calm, and the views are unreal. — Alexandra Emanuelli, Travel + Leisure, 28 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for unreal

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unreal

Adjective

The English dialogue for these films was often absurd and barely coherent, written to conform to the movements of the actors’ mouths.

— Victor Garber, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2026
Correa’s contract contains a full no-trade clause, though any thought of the Astros moving him seems absurd.

— Chandler Rome, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of absurd

Adjective

Appropriated from a John Cale album, the title accurately describes scenes of bloodletting committed by bizarre, scenery-chewing yakuza members, and the energy hovers somewhere around a bloodier-than-baseline Takashi Miike movie from the mid-2000s.

— Vadim Rizov, Variety, 19 Sep. 2026
Her family and church life remained opaque, but her bizarre comedic timing and magnetic onscreen presence turned her into everyone’s favorite reality-TV anti-hero.

— Brian Moylan, Vulture, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of bizarre

Adjective

There have been 28 years between the two films, but in the narrative of the fictitious Owens sisters, only about 10 years should have passed.

— Danielle Pergament, Allure, 14 Sep. 2026
Inspectors have found hundreds of allegedly fictitious facilities, while at least 833 kitchens have been shut down for failing to meet hygiene and sanitation standards.

— ABC News, ABC News, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of fictitious

Adjective

While the era’s bust eventually brought most of those ventures to an end, Brown said the experience taught him not to let the fear of failure—or looking foolish—get in the way.

— Preston Fore, Fortune, 20 Sep. 2026
Cousins made two foolish mistakes, on the interceptions by Trader and Taaffe.

— Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of foolish

Adjective

The name traces back to Mary Jane, a fictional character in Richard Felton Outcault’s Buster Brown comic strip which debuted in 1902, who often appeared wearing the now iconic shoe style.

— Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Sep. 2026
But while the series is set in a fictional New England island community, many of its recognizable sights can be found just an hour north of Boston in Rockport, Massachusetts.

— Aaron Parseghian, CBS News, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of fictional

Adjective

That everyone commits so fearlessly — and with such straight faces — to the Zellners’ berserk world-building is a joy to behold, aided by a terrific jukebox soundtrack and a chaotic, entropic plot that builds and builds to insane levels of carnage.

— Damon Wise, Deadline, 14 Sep. 2026
Sure, this sounds insane, but the real insanity is how much New York mismanages its education system and how little attention the problem receives in Albany.

— Zilvinas "Z" Silenas, New York Daily News, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of insane

Adjective

Streep is voicing Aslan, the mythical lion who creates the mystical world of Narnia.

— Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 17 Sep. 2026
Although the story of Odysseus binding himself to the mast to resist the Sirens’ song may belong to the mythical imagination, plenty of desperate souls have gone to heroic lengths to obstruct their wayward desires.

— Meghan O’Gieblyn, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of mythical

Browse Nearby Words

unready

unreal

unrealistic

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“Unreal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unreal. Accessed 23 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of unreal

adjective

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